Last month marked the long-awaited reintroduction of two online sportsbooks in the West Virginia sports betting market, following months of patient anticipation.
Despite the extended timeframe, the Mountain State successfully unveiled the DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook, two prominent sports betting apps, after almost a year of development.
The state had previously launched the BetLucky app as its sole online betting option, but unfortunately, it had a short-lived presence in the market and did not match up to the superior quality of the two current sportsbooks.
With bettors in West Virginia now having options, it is crucial to compare and contrast the state’s two mobile betting apps to determine the superior online sportsbook.
Both mobile sports betting apps have abundant offerings, providing a diverse range of betting markets and types, along with the option for live in-game wagering.
While DraftKings and FanDuel share similarities, there are certain distinctions between them that can influence one’s preference for an online sportsbook. Let’s delve into the details of their mobile sports betting apps and ascertain which option is most suitable for gamblers in WV.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Sporting events
Currently, DraftKings and FanDuel stand as the top-notch online sportsbooks in West Virginia. These platforms offer an extensive range of sports options for users to indulge in. As for DraftKings, numerous betting markets are presently accessible, including:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Golf
- Boxing
- MMA
- Motor sports
- Cricket
- Rugby Union
- Darts
- Cycling
- Australian Rules
This list encompasses a wide array of sports, including those highly popular in the US as well as others with a more European following.
FanDuel provides a variety of sports markets to choose from.
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Tennis
- Golf
- Soccer
- Boxing
- Motor Racing
- MMA
- Rugby
- Darts
- Australian Rules
- Cricket
When FanDuel initially launched, it may not have offered as many options as it does now, but it has certainly caught up to DraftKings in terms of variety. The only distinguishing factor in their betting markets is Cycling.
While DraftKings provides odds for the 2020 Tour de France, FanDuel does not offer them.
Since there is minimal variation in the sports offered, bettors will not be inclined to select a sportsbook based on this factor. However, the odds tend to vary slightly from game to game, even though the markets remain consistent.
If you are an experienced gambler who wants to ensure they get the best odds, it is advisable to compare betting lines between both apps as the event’s odds change weekly, leading to varying betting odds offered by different bookmakers.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Betting types
DraftKings and FanDuel share many similarities in terms of the variety of betting types they offer. Both mobile sports betting platforms provide a range of wagering options including:
- Straight
- Parlay
- Round Robins
- Teaser
- Live in-game
- Moneyline
- Point Spread
- Totals – Over/Under
- Futures
- Props
No matter the level of expertise, bettors can discover a bet they fancy among the wide array of options available. DraftKings and FanDuel offer an abundance of betting choices, catering to various sports.
DraftKings stands out from FanDuel by providing betting pools as an exclusive feature. Although these sportsbook pools are not yet accessible in West Virginia on DraftKings, they will soon be introduced. This offering resembles Daily Fantasy Sports, enabling fans to participate in various contests.
There are different types of pools expected to be available, with variations in entry fee, prize pool, size, and type.
- NFL pick’em
- NFL against the spread
- NFL props
- College football
Currently, FanDuel lacks a pool feature, but it offers various other betting options. At present, FanDuel presents a complimentary game named “Keep The Cash.” In this betting format, participants are allocated $1 million in promotional funds that they need to distribute among 20 specified questions.
Once bettors have answered and placed wagers on all 20 questions, they can qualify to receive any remaining funds in the form of sportsbook credit.
Live in-play betting
Although there may be slight variations among online sportsbooks, their live-bet offerings are remarkably similar.
The popularity of in-play gambling has significantly increased with the rise of online sports betting. DraftKings and FanDuel are frontrunners in this field, offering a wider range of options compared to other sportsbooks across all markets.
Both sportsbooks offer live wagering options for a wide range of sports, yet what distinguishes these two online books is the extensive variety of betting markets they offer. Regardless of whether it’s baseball, tennis, or football, both sportsbooks provide a plethora of odds to bet on once a game has started.
In addition to regularly updating common lines, DraftKings and FanDuel offer over 50 additional lines for every game.
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Totals
There are various options available, including multiple alternatives for each listing as well as team and player prop bets.
These online sportsbooks offer a wide range of options in general, but the distinction between their live listings compared to other online sportsbooks is remarkable. Sports bettors in WV will make a good choice by engaging in live wagering on either platform.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Online platform
Both DraftKings and FanDuel provide mobile apps and desktop versions for sports betting in West Virginia. Fortunately, all options offer a similar and consistent betting experience for bettors.
While the color schemes and layouts differ, both online sportsbooks exhibit a similar interface. Upon logging in, users are greeted with a homepage that offers valuable information and convenient tabs for accessing popular sports or events.
Both DraftKings and FanDuel display the ongoing games that can be bet on in real-time, while also featuring the most notable sporting events taking place on that particular day.
In addition to offering various games, each platform also presents distinct promotions or odds boosts for bettors to capitalize on. These enticing offers are displayed at the top of both online sportsbooks, scrolling for easy access.
Both websites, regardless of the order, feature the most popular leagues and sports, along with a comprehensive menu displaying all available sports. They effectively present pertinent information to facilitate betting for players.
Although some people may prefer the aesthetics of FanDuel, the actual disparity between the two platforms is negligible. Both are user-friendly and provide a highly convenient online betting experience.
The mobile apps mirror the desktop sportsbooks, offering an almost identical experience. Bettors can effortlessly switch between the two platforms as everything is conveniently located in one place.
If you don’t have a strong preference for a light or dark background, there shouldn’t be much of a distinction between the online platform and mobile app. Both DraftKings and FanDuel offer top-notch products.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Welcome bonus
One notable distinction between the two sportsbooks lies in their welcome bonuses offered to new players. When individuals sign up for either online sportsbook, they are presented with a special deal designed to acknowledge and appreciate their account creation.
Now, we shall examine the two existing welcome bonuses.
DraftKings:
- Deposit-free $25
- Receive a 50% bonus on your initial deposit, with a maximum limit of $500.
- You can place your first bet of up to $200 without any risk.
FanDuel:
- You have the opportunity to place your first bet without any risk, up to $500.
Despite some differences, both of these bonuses are highly respectable when compared to other online sportsbooks launched in the US. Additionally, they share more similarities than one might initially perceive.
In my opinion, the DraftKings’ welcome offer is slightly superior as it offers a comprehensive package. The deposit-free bonus holds significant value as it enables bettors to utilize the sportsbook and make actual bets without using their own funds.
DraftKings is certain that customers who take advantage of their complimentary $25 will quickly realize the advantages of their online sportsbook and proceed to make a deposit. Additionally, DraftKings will match your deposit, giving you up to $250 in return, and provides insurance for your initial risk-free wager.
While FanDuel only offers credit as compensation with their risk-free bet, they go a step further than DraftKings by matching your loss up to $500. Consequently, FanDuel ends up providing $25 more in total.
The success of DraftKings and FanDuel in attracting new customers can be attributed to their excellent bonus offers. As residents of WV, it will be up to individuals to determine which offer is most suitable for them and proceed accordingly.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Promotions
In addition to the welcome promotions, both online sportsbooks also provide weekly and daily promos. Currently, DraftKings offers a variety of ongoing promotions, while FanDuel has a few additional ones available.
The odds boost is the most commonly employed promotion by both sportsbooks. It involves offering customers fixed games and odds that are either focused on local teams or major sporting events. DraftKings and FanDuel enhance the odds of the selected line, ensuring bettors receive a payout higher than the norm.
FanDuel offers a variety of insurance promotions for various sports and scenarios, which have gained significant popularity. Currently, they are running insurance promotions for NFL, college football, and baseball bets.
Although FanDuel appears to have a slight advantage in terms of the number of promotions offered, both online sportsbooks provide a comparable amount.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Banking options
Both DraftKings and FanDuel provide several options for depositing and withdrawing funds from their sportsbook accounts. Presently, players can conveniently deposit money onto both platforms using the following methods:
- Online bank transfer
- MasterCard or Visa credit/debit card.
- PayPal
- Prepaid Card
- Wire transfer
In addition to Skrill, DraftKings also accepts FanDuel’s various alternative methods of payment.
- ACH/eCheck
- PayNearMe
- Check
Both offer various options for withdrawing funds, which include:
- Check
- PayPal
- ACH/eCheck
Customers of DraftKings have the option to withdraw their funds directly from a retail casino cage, whereas FanDuel will return the funds to your prepaid card.
While both sportsbooks offer ample options, FanDuel edges ahead with a slightly larger selection in the banking options category, securing a narrow victory.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Customer Support
In terms of customer support, FanDuel holds an upper hand. While both platforms offer email and live chat assistance, FanDuel stands out by also providing a phone number for users to reach out for support.
At present, individuals can submit a form to request a callback from a DraftKings support representative. However, there is no available phone number provided for direct assistance.
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